Timing is Everything

There seems to be some debate over the best days to send out a press release. Most consider the middle of the week best, while others consider Fridays to be better since very few outlets expect to receive a media release, and you’ll have in a good chance of standing out.

Unless the media release you are sending is breaking news, in some instances, it’s best to pull together a concise pitch and phone the media outlet. But don’t pick up the phone until you’ve researched the right contact. Once you have all the information, the best times to call media outlets have been 10 AM- 12 PM or 2 Pm- 4 PM.

Generally, it’s a good practice not to call a newsroom during morning meetings so by 10 AM- most are over. In like manner, make sure you don’t call a braodcast outlet host, during the timeframe they are on the air. Personally, I make it a point not to phone after 4 PM just out of courtesy, when media are wrapping up their day, finalizing deadlines, or taking care of other urgent business. I think by 4 PM, we are ready to call it a day, anyway, and its best to start fresh in the morning.

I’m still often surprised at the quickness with which reporter’s and bloggers answer their phones, and for this reason, I realize I have only a matter of seconds to get my point across. Write out the most important key ideas on a pad to refer to when phoning.

I only give my first name, and luckily, it’s a short one and won’t consume too much time to say outloud. Timing is everything, and mostly speaking in a concise way, during the right time of day, to the right person seems to increase my client’s placements over time.

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